Update: Yanks have asked about Derrek Lee, Chipper Jones, Scott Rolen

11:36am: Cashman also said he looked into signing Scott Rolen, but didn’t elaborate. Unlike Chipper, the 37-year-old Rolen looked pretty cooked last season (93 wRC+).

11:22am: Cashman said he is “not optimistic” about signing Lee, and said he would also be interested in Chipper Jones if he wants to come out of retirement. He wasn’t joking either; he said he plans to talk to his agent. Chipper would be pretty awesome, but I highly doubt it happens.

11:00am: Via David Waldstein: The Yankees have asked Derrek Lee to come out of retirement in the wake of Mark Teixeira‘s wrist injury. The long-time Marlin and Cub is interested, though no deal is imminent. Brian Cashman confirmed the report this morning — “I made a call, I liked him as a player,” he said — and it’s worth noting Lee played for former Cubs GM and current Yankees executive Jim Hendry in Chicago.

Lee, 37, hit .267/.325/.446 (109 wRC+) with 19 homers in 447 plate appearances for the Orioles and Pirates while battling an oblique strain and a broken wrist (suffered on a hit-by-pitch) back in 2011, his final year as a player. He was a very good defensive first baseman with a great clubhouse reputation, so he fits the current Yankees mold. I wrote about Lee as a possible DH target in a mailbag last January, and pretty much all of that stuff still holds true. Coming back after a season away is much tougher to do as a hitter than pitcher just because hitting is such a rhythm and timing thing. A minor league contract would be fine, but expecting him to contribute on an everyday basis is a stretch.

And I long for the day we have a prospect to call up that will be better, or even as good, as these veteran options.

trr

that says it in a nutshell

BJ

Backup option: perhaps sign Russell Branyan again? I’m a little sad that that’s not the punchline to some sort of joke, but I do still have vivid memories of that massive homer Branyan launched into the upper deck in Spring Training ’12.

Jim Is Bored

Minor League deal or a 1 year, 1 mil MLB deal? Fine with me.

Eddard

Who’s next, Jorge? Boggs? Donny Baseball? Give the kids a chance! Stop signing all of these washed up veterans. A few, fine, not the whole damn roster. You can’t tell me there’s no one in this farm system that can equal what Derek Lee could give us.

Jim Is Bored

There’s no one in this farm system that can equal what Derek Lee could give us.

Did I just blow your mind?

Long-Past-His-Day-Rod

I don’t see how you can possibly make such a definitive statement about a player who is over a year removed from playing any baseball at all.

If you had said “there’s no one in this farm system that can equal what 2011 Derek Lee could give us,” I’d have to agree. It’s too much of a stretch to assume the guy is going to come back after a nice long vacation from the sport and produce even close to that level.

That being said, I’m all for giving him a look. It’s possible his ship has already sailed though, and a MiLB option could be the better short-term choice.

Jim Is Bored

I was just ribbing Eddard, because he made the exact opposite definitive statement.

Long-Past-His-Day-Rod

Fair enough, my sarcasm detector is a little off lately.

Jim Is Bored

I could have been more obvious, I guess.

But yeah, I agree with you. I have no idea whether Lee will provide anything useful, but we don’t know whether any of our farmhands could provide anything useful either.

LarryM., Fl.

Brian Cashman has reached out to HoF Yogi Berra on a minor league contract to shore up the catching position.

Rick

Sarcasm aside, you’d be better off with Jake Taylor. Proven to be able to lay down a squeeze bunt. We’re going to need to manufacture runs this year.

Pat D

There’s no chance Chipper would come out of retirement to play for the Yankees, or any team other than the Braves, frankly. It wouldn’t seem right for him to wear a different uniform either.

I still don’t know about Lee because of not playing last year. But, yea, I do think he’d still outperform any of the “kids” that some people seem to think the Yankees have but really don’t.

Gonzo

I bet Chipper could still outproduce the Braves 3b options.

Art

BREAKING NEWS; A Source told us the The Yankees has reached out to Mo Vaughn on a one yr. contract. How Attractive is That?

JMK

BREAKING NEWS: You don’t have to capitalize words that are not proper nouns!

Art

BREAKING NEWS; A Source told us the The Yankees has reached out to Mo Vaughn on a one yr. contract to play first base.

pablos massive load samwich

BREAKING NEWS; A Source told us the The Yankees has reached out to Mo Vaughn on a one yr. ostrich to play first base.

Reply

Robinson Tilapia

I’d sign if you approached me on an ostrich. That’s going above and beyond. Also more stylish than the Cashman wheelchair.

Scott

What’s Kevin Maas up to these days?? He was awesome for about half a year! The heir-apparent to Donnie Baseball…yeah right!

Scott

What’s Kevin Maas up to these days?? He was awesome for about half a year! The heir-apparent to Donnie Baseball…yeah right! How about Brosius?

Robinson Tilapia

Maybe he finally learned how to hit a breaking ball.

Leg-End

Is there anyone over 35 that Cashman hasn’t reached out for?

TLVP

me

Jim Is Bored

Isn’t this a positive? Isn’t it the GM’s job to exhaust all available options?

Why are people whining about this?

jsbrendog

because people are stupid.

jjyank

Yeah, pretty much.

I’d be pissed if Cashman WASN’T contacting everyone who has even a 1% chance of improving the team. There’s no harm in talking to people.

forensic

Rolen is one thing because he at least played last year. Even Chipper, though it’s a bit of a stretch since he’s given up on playing and fully retired.

But Lee is absurd. He hasn’t played in over a year and arguably hasn’t been that good since about 2009. If you get pissed about Cashman not calling people who are long out of the game, then I think you’re really pushing it.

jjyank

Okay, fair enough. I was kinda speaking generally though. No, I wouldn’t be pissed if Cashman didn’t call Lee. But I really don’t see how anyone could be pissed that he did.

I mean, if he signs him to a contract and people don’t like it, I get that. Really all I’m seeing is Cashman looking at every option, which is what I want to see him do.

http://www.riveraveblues.com Mike Axisa

People complain about everything. If they hadn’t reached out to Rolen or Jones or whoever, they’d complain they weren’t exploring every avenue to improve.

trr

i’m getting in shape now.
at least you know I’d bust my ass going down the line.
probably break my leg doing it, but I wouldn’t be the first broken leg recently, would I?

Leg-End

To be fair I wasn’t complaining, I was making a comment based on an article that started with reaching out for Lee and then within 30 minutes had chucked two more retired veterans in the ring.

It’s absolutely the right move by the GM.

Mark Teixeira – Ghostbuster (formerly Drew)

If they sign Rolen this will be the best team in 2007 ever!

Adam

So basically the Yanks plans are to replace old injured guys with older guys who are just waiting to get injured?

Front office should see if Mattingly wants to try a comeback.

Not sure why they dont just give some young guys a chance to play.

Cool Lester Smooth

Name a young guy who would be better.

Please, I’m interested.

jjyank

It’s a lovely narrative, but it’s just flat out wrong. If Mason Williams was sitting in AAA, he’d have a point. None of the kids in the upper levels are sure things (or even good bets) to perform better than an older veteran guy.

forensic

What’s even the point of a comment like this? Much like your opinion is that they won’t be better, his may be that they will be better.

Neither of the opinions have much more support than the other.

Jim Is Bored

Adam brought it up, CLS asked him to prove it. That’s the point.

I don’t think it’s unfair to question why Adam is upset, to ask him to provide some support for his opinion.

forensic

There is no proof on either side. Adam can say he thinks Mustelier would be better. CLS says he’s 28 and wouldn’t. Adam says he’s hit at every level and he thinks its worth a shot and he deserves a chance.

How is either side going to prove anything? This is all opinions. People are allowed to have different opinions and preferences. You don’t have to reply with a wise ass comment like that as if there is no other realistic possibility.

Jim Is Bored

Adam didn’t say Mustelier. You did, and that would have been a fine response.

You’re perfectly fine to have an opinion, but an uninformed opinion is fair game to get called out. I can disagree with your opinion, or ask you to back it up. That’s the whole point of a message board. If Adam didn’t want his opinion to be up for reply, he didn’t have to post anything. And if you don’t want to see wise-ass replies, you should probably leave the internet.

Cool Lester Smooth

Hey, I love Ronnier Mustelier, I want him as the starting LF coming out of ST. I just don’t think he can play 3B.

jsbrendog

that is why you debate.

Cool Lester Smooth

I’m genuinely interested to know what young guys he thinks are better options. It was largely an attempt to get him to say “Jorge Vazquez” or someone along those lines, but still. We really don’t have any MLB caliber 1B prospects, and Adams is injured.

forensic

Sorry if it wasn’t meant to be a wiseass thing, that’s just how I took it from your phrasing.

Cool Lester Smooth

Oh, it was mostly meant to be a wiseass thing. I saw that he admitted 3 comments down that he didn’t actually know if there were any kids to play, so I was calling him out on it.

Robinson Tilapia

TEEEEH RONNNNNIER!

Robinson Tilapia

….who might be a better option, but it was still fun to type. Even more fun to say aloud.

Jim Is Bored

I don’t even know how to pronounce it.

Is it: “RonnnyER” “RonnyEH” or just “Ronny”.

Or d) none of the above

Robinson Tilapia

He’s Cuban. No matter what, roll the “R” and soften the “O.”

Jim Is Bored

Yeah as soon as I posted it I realized I left out like 4 potential pronunciations.

So that covers the first syllable. Still not sure if “ier” is pronounced phonetically, or french style.

Robinson Tilapia

Let me channel my grandma here for a sec….

RRRRRRo-nee-ehrrrrr.

I can’t think of a proper Cuban grandma way to handle the last name.

Jim Is Bored

Then I really, really, really hope he pans out, if only because I can’t wait to hear MLB announcers butcher both ends of that name.

Robinson Tilapia

They should dig up Rizzuto just for that….and to see if he can play first base. *snare*

Cool Lester Smooth

Yeah, but I think he’s an LF, not a 3B.

Monty

David Lee Adams must really be kicking himself in the ass for hurting his back.. This would have been his big chance to shine at 3rd.

mt

To be fair Melky Mesa will probably be the starting CF so that would be going with kids in that one case.

When I read stories like this about signing “has-beens” my first gasp is also exasperation and “why not go with the kids” but after I calm down I realize that you can always go with the kids but what if you start that way and the kids are abominable – then you have nowhere to go. Also with these injury replacements a youngster staring off slow and then finally wotking his way into it by second half of year does not really help Yanks. Given current projected timing of out time for Tex at beginning of season, Yanks may want to go through the Riveras, Diazes, and now Lees of the world so if these vets suck then you can go to kids who also will be getting regular at bats. This worked with the Colon and Garcia signings where many were first disgusted that we picked up these guys but they did provide useful (although who knows whether Colon was juicing during his time with Yanks). The same could apply here.

They are basically betting on who is more likely to produce in that one very narrow window. Lee would actually be perfect but his lack of playing in 2012 is a big negative (as it was for Colon before he started with Yanks.)

Mesa is a little different because they want someone to play CF so Grandy slides right back and at least he had a cup of coffee last year in majors. He is a more obvious, ready candidate for call-up than a Mustellier working out kinks at 3B.

Also since there are no obvious AAA candidates for 1B, they may want young guys to be in minors and get more regular at bats. Say, they take Mustellier to back-up 3rd and OF, how often will he actually play if there are no injuries?

So on March 10 (with no trades or acquisitions), I see Mesa as starting CF and a Johnson/Rivera platoon at 1B. As for back-ups, assuming Jeter is starting SS and Hafner is starting DH (probably not for first game because Lester is probably pitching but it’s easier to look at it this way), the back-ups would be Stewart (or Cervelli if Cervelli loses catcher competition), Nunez (they have to take Nunez because of Jeter slow start at defensively playing SS), Diaz for back-up OF and righty DH (or maybe possibly Mustellier if I am wrong about Yanks wanting Ronnier to get regular ABs), and the wrong side of that day’s Johnson/Rivera platoon duo. Nunez would have to back up 2B if they don’t take Nix in this case. Mustellier or Johnson (looks away in horror) could back up 3B.

I only want to move Youkilis to 1B if we get a non-placeholder type who is projected to be really good offensively at 3B (probably this acquisition is not happening). I could overlook this player’s 3B defense if he were fairly certain to add something with bat. I am not sure Mustelier falls in that category yet.

mt

Just read update – not sure Rolen qualifies as a 3B “certain to add something with bat”. I guess in this case his defense would be so much better than a placeholder type that they may overlook the offensive side.

In any case Cashman (as he should do) is exploring options although Chipper Jones is a little strange, especially given that Tex is supposed to be coming back – it would be like some other team asking Jeter or Rivera about coming back after they retire as a Yankee. I guess it never hurts to ask.

FachoinaNYY

Its not some team though, it is the Yankees. Not saying that it would matter to Chipper, but its not like he would be coming back for the Royals. I don’t know if I am remembering correctly, but I thought that Chipper did not like the Yankees. Either way I think Cash is doing a good job to see if there is any interest, given his year last year he would be a great pick up given the other options currently.

Adam

Oh and if the answer is that they are calling on older guys rather than bringing up younger guys because they dont have any younger guys, doesnt that signal a larger problem?

Cool Lester Smooth

Because we traded our only good major league ready prospect last offseason? And our next wave of prospects is a year out?

The Big City of Dreams

More like 2 yrs out.

Cool Lester Smooth

Most likely, but I think Austin might be ready by 2014 if he has a big year in AA/AAA.

The Big City of Dreams

Austin seems like a safe bet going forward. Not saying he will be a star and a steady pro

Robinson Tilapia

It would signal a larger problem if this wasn’t the 1,000,000th time we’ve heard about it.

Look, the sky! It’s blue! Look, the sky! It’s blue! Look!

Jim Is Bored

Bullshit, it’s gray. You can’t tell me that the sky does a better job of being blue than the ocean does. God failed.

Another really long name which has no point (formerly “an important / cool name”)

Yikes, we are at the point now where you pour a little water in the A1 bottle, swish it around a bit and pour the very last amount out because you are totally out of options. I wonder if they can make a reality TV show out of this. “Who Wants to Be the Next 1B?” Tuesday Nights, only on YES.

Jim Is Bored

It’s for a month. And if whoever we signs provides some added value, they stick around as a PH, defensive replacement guy who can give a regular a night off, which as everyone apparently can’t say enough, is relevant on a team of older guys.

There is seriously NO downside to searching through the pile of veterans. None. We’ve done it in past years, we’ll do it in future years. It doesn’t mean we sign someone, it just means we’re looking.

If a GM isn’t trying to get the most he possibly can out of every available asset, both obvious and non-obvious, he’s not doing what he’s paid to do.

jjyank

This. And of course once that window of opportunity is over, if they don’t perform, they can just get cut. So no risk. It’s not like the Yankees want to give Lee/Rolen/Jones $5 mil guaranteed or anything. Peeps need to chill.

nsalem

“swish” maybe a poor choice of words to use in the context of who should be playing 1B for the Yankees to start 2013.

Cool Lester Smooth

I’d actually be down for Scott Rolen. He still plays good D and has a bit of pop. I think he could definitely be an Eric Chavez type for us.

jjyank

I’d be down to give him a shot, sure. As long as the contract is super low risk, I wouldn’t mind sliding Youk over to 1B for a month and seeing if Rolen can hold it down during that time.

Cool Lester Smooth

Yeah, and he can also fill in once Youk gets injured.

I also irrationally love Scott Rolen since I lived in Philly till I was 5 and he was their only good player.

Dicka24

Man, wouldn’t a Jesus Montero be nice to have right about now….(sorry, I couldn’t resist!)

Jorge Vazquez too! 80)

Robinson Tilapia

Oh Jesus, they’re bringing up Vazquez now.

I give up.

Havok9120

No kidding. What the heck.

mitch

Didn’t realize how good Chipper was last season. It’s surprising that he even decided to retire. 500 HRs and 3000 hits weren’t out of the question with a couple more solid seasons.

Greg

if we’re going old rather than young, I don’t know why we’re not considering Tino Martinez, Graig Nettles, Wade Boggs and Bernie Williams. All of them are as good or better than Lee, Rolen, etc.

Matt

I hear he’s also interested in digging up Mickey Mantle to help out in the outfield.

Person, Place or Thing

No, Mantle can’t run anymore.

mike myers

anyone else starting to think Mark is going to be out a lot longer than listed?

I know that all GMs do this, and they only reason we are getting an update of every player Cash calls is because there is too much information on the internet….but….wrist + calling everyone = no mark for a while?

jsbrendog

8-10 weeks is already awhile. then rehab games to get his timing back, which can go up to i believe 30 days….it is a long time aleready

Havok9120

8-10 weeks is with rehab/pre-time taken into account.

Havok9120

If they were looking to trade for a longterm 1B then you’d have a case for that, sure. But these are guys who can come in cheap and be cut as soon as we need the roster space. It’s almost more an indication that they’re confident of the timetable than anything.

Robinson Tilapia

I will admit that there’s a part of me who wishes he could un-see this. It’s hard to fight off the inevitable jokes.

That being said, I don’t give a shit if they dig up Mantle and give him a looksee in the Spring as a potential fill-in. All available options that prevent us from having Youk move to first and placing a net behind him to catch whatever Joseph or Mustelier, when you sit Nix, throw his way are welcome.

I understand exploring all opportunities but c’mon now you can’t be serious.

Jim Is Bored

“I understand exploring all opportunities but now that I realize that some of those opportunities are things I didn’t think of and have a small probability, though still > 0, of working, I’m demonstrating that I don’t understand exploring all opportunities.”

The Big City of Dreams

SMH yea lets bring in old guys with injury issues to replace guys who got injured. It makes perfect.

Jim Is Bored

Cool man, you used SMH.

Having 2 guys who are likely to get injured > having 1 guy likely to get injured. Likelihood of both to get hurt < the likelihood of either to get hurt. That's not even complicated.

The Big City of Dreams

I’d still pass I don’t care.

Jim Is Bored

Add this to the extensive list of reasons I’m glad you have nothing to do with the organization.

The Big City of Dreams

I’d glad you have nothing to do with the organization as well. Everything is rose colored in your world. Everything is great.

Jim Is Bored

Maybe you should talk to my doctor.

He’s the one who keep assigning me these prescriptions.

Also: Man, our team might have some injury prone guys, maybe we should get some more depth! is apparently rose-colored.

The Big City of Dreams

You’re going to get depth with guys who are old and have injury issues. When they go down what are ppl going to say hey no one knew they would get hurt.

Jim Is Bored

No.

But here, if you’d like, lets do a math exercise.

If we have player A, and his probability of making it through a season uninjured is 50%, that’s not very good.

So for depth, we acquire player B, who’s probability is also 50%.

The odds of neither of them making it through the season unhurt is 25%.

You just increased the odds that you’ll have a healthy player by 25%.

Of course costs and level of performance are factors, but yes, I would rather get cheap, injury prone guys for depth than get no one at all.

Robinson Tilapia

But that creates depth in and of itself. If these guys can perform better than the other internal options (and, no, we don’t know that for sure), then that gives you some time in which you don’t have to go directly to those options. Your previous Plan B is now Plan C.

I don’t want to go back and say “They should have done *this* in October.” October is over. This is March.

The Big City of Dreams

I’d just rather get someone that’s good. Obviously it’s better than getting no one at all but why risk it with another injury prone player.

Jim Is Bored

Of course we’d all rather get someone who’s a better guarantee to perform.

That option isn’t there anymore though. Anything we do from here on out is a risk. A trade is a risk because we lose prospects. Promoting a prospect is a risk because we have no idea how they’ll perform.

A veteran has a baseline performance, even if it’s not amazing. And you can cut them for cheap. It’s a legit option for the Yankees right now.

Robinson Tilapia

That’s a bit unfair.

Jim Is Bored

Don’t worry, when he’s wrong he starts insulting me.

It’s happened before.

Robinson Tilapia

I actually want to have a decent conversation on this. I certainly don’t want to be called any names….except for “sweet-ass” and stuff like that.

Jim Is Bored

I certainly think it can appear desperate to look at these options. It’s not definitely the best way to go about acquiring depth or a quality team.

But I think it’s definitely one of the many things a GM should do. It’s certainly fair to criticize the Yankees off-season, but the past is in the past. We can’t change what we did before now, and there really aren’t many options out there. This is one of them.

That’s all I’m saying. If they hadn’t looked these guys up, I wouldn’t have thought about it. What I don’t understand is why BCOD is actually annoyed about it.

Or that he doesn’t get that if he had said what he meant instead of what he wrote in his first comment, this thread probably doesn’t exist.

The Big City of Dreams

Lol are you serious? I’ve insulted you??? Jim you have gone out of your way to insult me more than once. Every conversation we’ve had has ended with you calling me dense, stupid, and other various insults.

Jim Is Bored

Then I’ll pull out your conversation ender:

Stop getting upset. It’s a baseball blog.

Jim Is Bored

And you are being dense.

You said “I understand exploring all opportunities”

If all you said was “I don’t think this plan of action is what Cash should be doing right now.” I may have still disagreed, but it would have been very, very different.

Jim Is Bored

If anyone from the regular crowd thinks I’m the one being unfair here, I’ll apologize and exit stage left.

The Big City of Dreams

Stop getting upset. It’s a baseball blog.
—————

That’s insulting you??? Jim calling someone stupid is not the same as telling some stop getting upset.

Jim Is Bored

“Everything is rose colored in your world. Everything is great.”

That was the insult. It pretends I’m not thinking clearly. Plus I haven’t remotely been rose-colored in this thread.

I’ve acknowledged the Yankees are desperate, and I’m glad they’re taking steps to remedy that. Plus, I didn’t ask for your opinion in this specific comment, I asked for everyone else’s.

The Big City of Dreams

I didn’t feel like responding above to what you said so I did it on this one instead. I know you were asking the rest of the board. The only reason I said what I did is because you took it to that point on a conversation we had weeks ago. When I discuss things on the net I try my best not to get personal but if someone insults me first I’m going answer back.

Robinson Tilapia

So you shouldn’t even bother taking a look at them? Who’s been handed a job yet?

The Big City of Dreams

No I wouldn’t talk to them. I would be fine if they went with the kids or made a decent trade.

Robinson Tilapia

Fair enough. That makes…..one of us.

jsbrendog

you don’t seem to understand exploring all options then

The Big City of Dreams

I understand exploring options of guys that can actually still play and are under the age of 37. Chipper retired, Lee didn’t play last yr, and Rolen is pretty much done.

Jim Is Bored

“I understand exploring options of guys that can actually still play and are under the age of 37.”

not the same as

“I understand exploring all opportunities”

The Big City of Dreams

I understand exploring options of guys that actually good or still active in the game. I’m not a star at every position guy but why even entertain Chipper, Lee, or Rolen. The team is already carrying a certain amount of risk due to injury and they are toying with the idea of adding more age to the team.

Jim Is Bored

“I understand exploring options of guys that actually good or still active in the game.”

not the same as

“I understand exploring all opportunities”

Robinson Tilapia

Temporary fill-in. Depth. Experience. Low-risk, in the end.

It’s not the decision I’d make either, but I’m not faulting them too much for asking.

Jim Is Bored

You shouldn’t be faulting them at all for asking.

Robinson Tilapia

True dat.

Do the kids still say “true dat?”

The Big City of Dreams

No but they still say word

Havok9120

It’s pretty clear that you don’t understand that, despite what you say.

And just let me point out that it was NOT the old guys who got hurt. Yes, we understand the trend that age and injury rate correlate. But let’s stop acting as if these injuries have proved what you’ve been saying all winter. The opposite is closer to true.

The Big City of Dreams

They aren’t old but they are declining. Tex has been dealing with injuries since what 2010 or 2011.

Havok9120

He played in 158 games in 2010 and 156 in 2011.

And following your performance standards requires an accurate crystal ball, an unlimited budget, and a whole new set of FA and draft rules. Depth guys who are better than depth are generally starting on other teams or waiting to do so. When they do hit FA, they are virtually guaranteed to be in/near their age-curved decline phase and/or priced so high that they aren’t backups.

And that isn’t even to mention that not exploring all options is intentionally gimping yourself out of…pride? Stubbornness? Stupidity? We KNOW that old does not equal ineffective just as we KNOW young does not equal more healthy.

The Big City of Dreams

Exploring options is one thing. calling and checking in on players is one thing but when you are reaching out to guys that either didn’t play or retired that almost screams of desperation.

Jim Is Bored

And according to you, rightly so, the Yankees ARE desperate for depth right now.

We can whine about the past 3 months all we want, but we can’t change it.

Jim Is Bored

And on that note, that’s all the willingness I have to keep talking about this topic.

If you don’t understand what 6 or 7 of us are trying to explain to you, there’s nothing else we can do about it.

Jim Cavanaugh

Sad state of affairs … Plenty of opportunities to address these issues in the off season and none taken. Now the club is digging thru the garbage and asking guys to come out of retirement. There is no way the fan backlash & dumpster diving for retreads is worth getting under the 189 million salary cap. I am going to be joining tons of fellow fans in finger crossing this year, hoping somehow we don’t wind up in 4th place & Mo never sees another playoff game again.

Get Phelps Up

How were they supposed to address unexpected injuries to 2 of thier best players in the offseason?

The Big City of Dreams

True but there was a belief the Yankees were lacking depth and carrying a certain amount of risk due to the age of the roster. They couldn’t predict Tex and Grandy getting hurt but they are thin when it comes to depth.

Jim Is Bored

You, above: Stop looking at all your options for depth.

You, here: They are thin when it comes to depth.

The Big City of Dreams

They came into ST thin when it comes to the overall depth of the team. If they had any type of depth do you think they would be reaching out to a 40 yr old to unretire.

Jim Is Bored

So, since we don’t have depth, we should stop trying to acquire it? Is that what you’re saying?

The Big City of Dreams

No I’m saying if you want to add depth look for visble options. In what world is a 37 yr old who didn’t play last yr a good depth move.

Jim Is Bored

I actually think an invisible option would be preferable. Think of the stolen bases

Robinson Tilapia

You could stand him behind Melky Mesa in the batter’s box and give him a second chance at not striking out.

Jim Is Bored

Or put him at 1st. Maybe Nunez will be better off if he can’t see the guy he’s throwing to.

Robinson Tilapia

Genius.

Havok9120

As opposed to whom? Who is available and not already in the organization that you would rather Cashman spend 10 minutes on the phone with?

The Big City of Dreams

Maybe a guy like Tyler Colvin on the Rockies. He can play the outfield as well as 1st base. They could leave Youk at 3rd.

Jim Is Bored

And why would Colorado want to trade him?

The Big City of Dreams

He’s not even a full time starter for the team. They are rebuilding. He asked for someone and I gave him a player.

Jim Is Bored

Even so, why do you think the Yankees haven’t explored that option? And he wouldn’t be cheap.

Plus, this article didn’t say “Yankees giving up on everyone in the majors, only looking at the retired players list now”. Looking at Derrek Lee doesn’t mean they aren’t exploring other alternatives too.

The Big City of Dreams

I never said they didn’t explore the option of Tyler Colvin.

Havok9120

Yikes. I have to think we’d be buying at a sky-high rate for what we’d be getting after last season. His 2010 was good but his 2011 MLB time was one of the worst stat lines I’ve ever seen and his AAA time wasn’t much better.

Not to mention that we’ve heard nothing about him, or really anyone in Colorado, being available. They are, in fact, looking to add pieces from what I’ve been reading. Why are they trading him at a price we should be willing to pay?

Robinson Tilapia

I’m not sure anyone has the sort of depth needed to overcome what this team is going through now but, yes, there’s certainly a depth problem which gets exposed more here.

Jim Cavanaugh

The line up and bench needed some reinforcing and it was completely ignored. These injuries could have been better masked had a better hitting catcher & RF’er been added. Now because they weren’t everything is magnified. If they try and make a deal for Headley or anyone else that’s actually a good player, Cashman will get hosed. The guys that were mentioned today are comical additions for a team expecting to be in the middle of an AL East dogfight this summer.

bkight13

Every year we hear the young guys aren’t ready/good enough. Every year other teams with budgets promote young guys, a lot of times with great success. Our AAA and AA teams are consistently at the top of their leagues, so there must be some talent available.

I think it is an unwillingness to promote young guys because of the WS expectations every year and the supposed intolerance of our media/fan base. But these guys never get the experience needed to make the jump to the Big Leagues and we then try to protect their trade value by NOT playing them. But guys like IPK, AJackson, Montero, Tabata and others have shown that there is talent in the Yankees system.

If they are truly committed to the 189m budget, then these guys have to get the chance to play. Why not do it now and see what is there? At 189m with Arod, Tex, CC, and hopefully Cano around, at least 4-5 spots will have to be filled with minimum wage players.

Robinson Tilapia

“Every year we hear the young guys aren’t ready/good enough. ”

Already not true.

bkight13

Cool story bro

Cool Lester Smooth

Tabata is awful…

Jim Is Bored

But he’s younger than 37! And not injury prone! That means he’s preferable to everyone who doesn’t fit those categories!

Actually, to be fair, he’s been worth around 2.9 WAR over 3 seasons. That wouldn’t be the worst depth in the world. Definitely not the best, but not the worst.

Cool Lester Smooth

No doubt, but he’s been a lot worse than the “old men” we’ve had instead of him.

Cool Lester Smooth

And everything you just said is well and good. But there aren’t any kids being blocked.

Havok9120

Who’s being blocked? Who do you want to get a chance to make the team that isn’t being given one?

@NotJackCurry

It is official…..the Yankees are a 2nd division team.

Lee
Chipper
Who is next, Al Roker?

And in the Yankees’ most unconventional attempt yet to bolster their ailing lineup, third baseman/weatherman Al Roker threw in front of club officials on Monday.

Roker, a non-roster invitee, was issued jersey No. 98 — never a good sign for a player’s hopes to crack the opening day roster. And like many of the Yankees, Roker’s probably a bit past his prime at 58. Plus, Roker has a history of knee problems and was known to struggle with his conditioning before 2002 gastric bypass surgery.

Chipper,Rolen,Lee.Three guys that should be pitch hitters are Cashmans idea of an everyday infielder.The problem with criticzing Cashman is how much deals are his or his bosses forcing him.The idea that we are dumpster diving for players like the Rays or Astros is dumb.

Cool Lester Smooth

Huh? The guys that should be pinch hitters are being looked at as stop gaps until our starters get healthy, at which point they will go back to being pinch hitters.

Havok9120

The only viable depth options are starter-caliber players. They should come to the Yankees as depth because WE ARE THE YANKEES DAMMIT.

Cool Lester Smooth

Wait a second, are you suggesting that Yankees fans might be entitled?!!